Greenspace: Flower preservative delays decay of bouquet

Monday

Flowers are not exactly a cheap investment. You’re paying for the talents of two artists: Mother Nature and the flower arranger.

Flowers are not exactly a cheap investment. You’re paying for the talents of two artists: Mother Nature and the flower arranger.

The advantage to growing your own cutting flowers, beyond the economics, is the same as for vegetable gardening. Your crop should last longer than store-bought simply because it’s very fresh.

We all enjoy cut flowers and hate to see them slowly decline in a vase. Cut flowers are not alive. They’ve been separated from their nutrient base and don’t need it any more. What they do need is treated water (see recipe).

All you can do is to delay their decay. Only drying the flowers will stop it.

How to prolong cut flowers

Equal treatment: Flowers fresh cut from your garden need the same care as store-bought, but can last a week or so longer. Recut the stems and get them into water immediately.

The tool: You’ll need a sharp, clean tool that does not crush the stem ends (this blocks water uptake). Florists recommend the off-shoot gardening shear with a blade set off-center.

Picking time: Best is in the morning before the hot sun. Your best choices will be new blossoms that are just beginning to unfurl from buds.

Hydration: Take a water container with you. Place each stem in it as soon as you cut it.

Technique: Long-stemmed flowers are nice but more difficult. Water must travel farther to the blossom. Never cut more than half the stem. Remove leaves from bottom of stem and place in water.

Second cut: This seems redundant but is important. When you get your flowers inside, snip the stem ends a quarter-inch or more on an angle under the water. This ensures that the capillaries are open and will send water to the blossom.

Preservation: Bacteria attack the stem and destroy its capacity to carry water. It is putrefaction. A drop of chlorine bleach or hydrogen peroxide in the vase water kills bacteria before they get a start.

Location: Display in a cool place outside of direct sunlight.

All good things must come to an end: Eventually, the stems no longer will take up water. The blossom wilts and dries out.